Ronald Lee Guinn

Ronald Lee Guinn was born April 26, 1952, in Great Bend, Kansas the son of Sam E. and Mary Evelyn (Herr) Guinn. Following the death of his father, at a young age, Ronnie moved with his family to Cleveland, Oklahoma where he began and completed his education. Ronnie soon met the love of his life at the age of eleven on the Delaware Bridge in Cleveland. Ronnie and Kathy continued their summer courtship for several years. Ronnie was later united in marriage to Kathleen Opal Buttram on September 19, 1969 in Pawnee, Oklahoma. In the early 1980ís Ronnie went to George Shipman to join a business venture in Branson, Missouri. Ronnie returned to Cleveland with the stipulation of a sellout venue. Following several weeks of planning; Ronnie opened a show at the Cleveland Auditorium with standing room only. Ronnie and his brother Gary returned to Branson and started the Starlite Theater in 1981. Ronnie and Gary performed daily as one of the first of its kind. The show soon caught on and is now what brings thousands of visitors yearly to Branson, Missouri. Ronnie and Gary later began touring the United States and Canada as well as performing on the Nashville Network with their show. In the mid 1980ís, Ronnie returned to Cleveland after a zealous singing career and began a partnership with his brother David. Ronnie would go and secure the permits and contracts with land owners prior to drilling the wells. Ronnie pumped wells for himself and David as well as others for over 20 years. The two also drilled a major gas well in Cleveland which has supplied the city with its own natural gas for many years. In the mid 1990ís, Ronnieís health began to fail, and was forced to slow down. Ronnie was a self taught guitarist and loved playing and singing at every chance. He loved horses and had one of the biggest hearts of anybody. Ronnie was also a very persistent person. Ronnie always cherished the time that his boys and grandkids would sing with him at every opportunity. Ronnie was a longtime member of the First Assembly of God Church. Ronnie passed away on Sunday October 31, 2010 in Cleveland, Oklahoma at the age of 58 years. Survivors are his wife, Kathy Guinn of the home in Cleveland, Oklahoma; two sons, Cody and his wife, Kaylie Guinn of Cleveland, Oklahoma, Chad Guinn of Cleveland, Oklahoma, one brother, David and his wife, Earlene Guinn of Cleveland, Oklahoma; seven grandchildren Kent Guinn, Nate Guinn, Kaycie Guinn, Ty Guinn, Will Guinn, Colt Guinn, Sarah Guinn and one greatgranddaughter Kenlee Guinn and a host of other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by parents, Sam and Mary Guinn, one brother Gary J. Guinn and one granddaughter Brooke. Funeral services will be held 2:00 pm, Thursday, November 4, 2010 at the First Assembly of God Church with Rev. Dan Edens officiating. Burial will follow in the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Pallbearers will be Darren Buttram, Wayne Buttram, Richard Buttram, Kent Guinn, Nate Guinn and Jeremy Guinn